Cigar cartoning machine



April 1966 F. HOLLENTON 3,245,204

CIGAR CARTONING MACHINE Original- Filed Dec. 2, 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet l 732 Fl GJ INVENTOR. FRANK HOLLENTON ATTORNEY F. HOLLENTON CIGAR CARTONINGMACHINE April 12, 1966 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 By Winn? IN V EN TOR.

FRANK HOLLENTON ATTORNEY April 1966 F. HOLLENTON 3,245,204

CIGAR CARTONING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 2, 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Fl G. 4B

INVENTOR. FRANK HOLLENTON //uun7 AYTORNEY April 12, 1966 F. HOLLENTON3,245,204

CIGAR CARTONING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 2, 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet 5mmvron'. FRANK HOLLENTON WWW- W ATTORNEY April 12, 1966 F. HOLLENTON3,245,204

' CIGAR CARTONING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 2, 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet 6)NVENTOR. FRANK HOLLENTON Riv ma. QJWXL April 1966 F. HOLLENTON3,245,204

0mm CARTONING momma Original Filed Dec. 2. 19603: 15 eets-Sheet 7INVENTOR. FRANK HOLLENTON By 7 dm ATTORNEY April 12, 1966 F. HOLLENTONCIGAR CARTONING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed D60. 2. 1960 INV EN TOR.

' FRANK HOLLENTON ATTORNEY A ril 12, 1966 F. HOLLENTON 3,245,204

CIGAR CARTONING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 2, 1960 I 15 Sheets-Sheet 9INVENTOR. FRANK HOLL ENTON ATTORN iY April 1966 F. HOLLENTON 3,245,204

CIGAR CARTONING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 2, 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet l0FIG. IO

INVENTOR. FRANK HOLLENTON ATTORNEY April 12, 1966 F. HOLLENTON 3,245,204

' CIGAR CARTONING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 2. 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet 11INVENTOR. FRANK HOLLENTON ORNEY April 12, 1966 F. HOLLENT ON C IGARCARTONINQ MACHINE l5 Sheets-Sheet 12 Original Filed Dec. 2. 1960INVENTOR.

FRANK HOLLENTQN BY ATTORN EY llllll l -H April 12, 1966 F. HOLLENTON3,245,204

CIGAR CARTONING MACHINE Original Fil ed Dec. 2, 1960 A 15 Sheets-Sheet1:

FIG. l9

INVENTOR.

/FRANK HOLLENTON 51 7/ a g/h ATTORN EY April 12, 1966. F. HOLLENTONCIGAR CARTONING MACHINE l l l l I l l II Lul l l l l l IH I l OriginalFiled Dec. 2. 1960 mN QE ATTORNEY April 1966 F. HOLLENTON 3,245,204

CIGAR CARTONING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 2, 1960 15 Sheets-Sheet 15mva 5/4 I g mumnum mm/z INVENTOR.

FRANK HOLLENT N g 7 BY Z ATTORNEY inexpensive and easier to operatecigars from.

United States Patent M CIGAR CARTONING MACHINE Frank Holienton,Mountainside, N.J., assignor to American Machine & Foundry Company, acorporation of New Jersey Continuation of application Ser. No. 73,265,Dec. 2, 1960.

This application Feb. 16, 1965, Ser. No. 432,963

1 Claim. (Cl. 53-376) This application is a continuation of myapplication, Serial No. 73,265, and claim is made to all of the legaland equitable benefits derivable therefrom.

This invention relates to a machine for rapidly and economically packinggroups of cigars, by grouping wrapped cigars in predetermined numbers,supplying and opening collapsed cartons, inserting the groups of cigarsin the opened cartons, and closing the filled cartons.

Another object is to provide means for'so synchronizing the variousmechanisms of the machine that failure of the cigars to be supplied fromthe wrapping means to the cartoning means will automatically stop thecartoning means and thus avoid packaging groups of less than the desirednumber of cigars.

An object of notable importante is to provide an improved constructionand improved means for making a machine which is readily adjustable tovarying carton sizes as well as to varying cigar sizes and shapes.

A further object of this invention is to provide means for folding,closing, and tucking both the bottom and top ends of a filled carton.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a machinewhich is equipped with numerous interlocks'to prevent the malfunction ofthe machine or to prevent'the function of 'the machine when eithercartons or cigars are missing or deformed.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel and efficient meansfor closing and sealing the package and for inserting the tongue flapafter filling the package shell.

Other objects are to provide improved carton feeding and opening meansand improved devices for inserting groups of cigars in opened cartons.Thus it is an object of the invention to provide an organized machinewhich will feed collapsed cartons from a stack and will automaticallyand withoutmanualhandling, open said cartons and insert individuallywrapped cigars in "said cartons, and close the cartons ready formarketing.

Another object of the invention is'to provide an improved cigar packageof a type which is as satisfactory as expensive packages and which atthe same time is more With theses and other objects not specificallymentioned in view, the invention consists in certain constructions andcombinations which will be hereinafter fully described and-thenparticularly pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings in which like characters of referenceindicate the same or like parts:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the cigar cartoningmachine,

FIG. 2 is a detailed sectional side elevation of the carton feed andopening mechanism, taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 isa partial sectional side elevation of modified carton feed andopening mechanism,

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional side elevation of the machine illustratingthe cigar feeding mechanism together with some of the drive mechanism ofthe machine taken .on line 4-4. of FIG. 1,

drive mechanism,

FIG. 4b is a partial sectional end elevation illustrating the cigargating mechanism before reaching the inserting .station of the machine,7

3,245,204 Patented Apr. 12, 1966 FIG. 5 is a sectional end elevation ofthe machine illustrating the cigar inserting mechanism, taken on line5-5 of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional side elevation of the machine illustratingthe carton bottom end flap guiding and closing unit, taken on line 6-6of FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 is also a partial sectional side elevation of the machine,illustrating the filled carton delivery mechanism, taken on line 7-7 ofFIG. 1,

FIG. 8 is a partial side elevation of the machine illustrating thedriving mechanism of the same,

FIG. 9 is a sectional end elevation of the machine illustrating thecarton delivery mechanism, taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 10 is a detailed partial side elevation of the carton deliverymechanism,

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional and elevation illustrating the cigarinserting mechanism,

FIG. '12 is another sectional end elevation of the machine, taken online 12-12 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 13 is a partial plan view illustrating the carton and flap guidingand folding unit,

FIG. 14 is a sectional end'elevation illustrating the bottom end flapopening guides for the carton taken on line 14-14 of FIG. 13,

FIGS. 15 and 16 are sectional end elevations of the top end flap foldingguides taken on line 15-15 and 16-16 respectively of FIG. 13,

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the carton end flap folding and closingguides,

FIGS. 18 and 19 are sectional end elevations illustrating the closingoperation of the bottom end flaps of the carton, taken on line 18-18 and19-19 respectively of FIG. 17,

FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 are sectional and elevations illustrating theclosing operation of the top end flaps of the carton, taken on line20-20, 21-21 and 22-22 respectively of FIG. 17,

FIG.-23 is a partial plan view of the machine illustrating the cigarinserting mechanism, and,

FIG. 24 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the automatic controlcircuit of the machine.

In the particular embodiment herein illustrated, there is provided incombination with instrnmentalities for successively wrapping cigars inindividual wrappers and for forwarding the same together with means forreceiving the individually wrapped cigars and grouping the same .incartons containing a predetermined number of cigars,

mechanism for supplying opened cartons and devices for successivelyinserting the groups of cigars in said cartons. Preferably there isprovided mechanism for engaging the wrapped cigars prior to insertionthereof in the carton operating to stop the operation of said devices ifa group is incomplete. The various means referred to may be variedwidely in construction within the scope of the clam, for the particulardevice selected to illustrate the invention is but one 'of many possibleconcrete embodiments of the same. The invention therefore is not to berestricted to the precise details shown and described nor to theparticular embodiments chosen as illustrative of the invention.

Referirng now to the drawings (particularly FIGS; 1, 2 and 12) a supplyof collapsed tubular cartons C is "stacked in a carton magazine orhopper H. The hopper H comprises a number of elongateed vertical rods 12'for each cup 18 a pair of substantially horizontal bars 20 and 22 whichare pivotally mounted at one end 24 and 26, respectively, to the frameof the machine and at their other ends interconnected by a pair ofvertical tie bars 28. Each tie bar 28 is formed having an enlarged head20, somewhat in the shape of a hammer head, in which is formed ahorizontal slotted portion 32. Each suction cup 18 is mounted on thestem of an inverted T shape holder member 34 pivotally connected at theend 36 of one arm to the corresponding tie bar 28. Each holder member 34is provided with a small transversely protruding pin 37 extending withinthe slot of the cooper- .ating tie bar 28 so that, should either one ofthe tie bars 28 be moved downwardly from the position shown in FIG. 2,each suction cup 18 will be forced to move downwardly and tilt slightlytoward the set-up position S along the direction shown by the arrow.

A vertically reciprocating action imparted to the parallel mechanismwill, of course, cause the feeding of successive cartons to the set-uppoint. This is accomplished by connecting the parallel mechanism to arotating cam 38 (FIGS. 4 and 12) journalled on a cam drive shaft 40, thecam 38 having a track 42 designed for this purpose. The connection ismade from one of the upper horizontal bars 20 (FIGS. 2 and 12) throughan adjustable rod 44, an arm 46 fixedly mounted to a rotatable shaft 48mounted in bearings 50 on. portions of the frame 14, a second arm 52,elongated link 54, and a bell crank 56 (FIGS. 4 and 12) pivotallymounted on shaft 58. The bell crank 56 has a cam roller 60 which engagesthe track 42 of cam 38. Spring 62 is used to bias roller 60 againsttrack 40.

Shaft 40 is driven (FIG. 8) by motor M through right angle bevel gears64 and 66, gears 68, 70, 72, sprocket 74, chain 76 running over sprocket78, journalled on the Output shaft of a magnetic clutch 79, pulley 80and belt 82 running over pulley 84 on motor M drive shaft 86.

Pulley 80 and the input of magnetic clutch 79 are journalled on maindrive shaft 88, sprocket 74 and gear 72 are journalled on shaft 90,gears 70 and 68 are journalled on shaft 92 and bevel gear 66 isjournalled 'on shaft 94,

all in a suitable manner. Shaft 94 is also provided with a hand wheel 96(FIGS. 8 and 9) to permit manual operation of the machine if desired.

Suction is provided in each of cups 18 through flexible hose 98 (FIG. 2)valve 100 (FIGS. 4 and 12) and hose 101 leading to a vacuum pump notshown but operated by belt drive 101 from main drive shaft 88 (FIG. 8).Valve 100 is operated by cam 102 journalled on shaft 40 throughconnection with follower 104, arms 105, 106, and 108 and rotary valvemember 110. Spring 112 normally biases the follower 104 into engagementwith cam 102 so as to control rotary member 110 automatically.

Automatic and manual control means 107 (to be described ber 128 is.reciprocated in slideway 122 formed by slide strips 124 which aresecured to frame 14. This action is accomplished by connecting pushermember 12 to a rotating cam 128'journalled on power shaft 94 (FIG. 8).This connection comprises (FIG. 2) link 130, arm 132 which is fixed. totransverse shaft 134, arm 136 (FIG. 4)

.FIG. 3.

4 also fixed to shaft 134, rod 138, and a bell crank cam followermechanism 140 (FIG. 8) which is pivoted at 142 on bracket 144 attachedto the frame 14. The follower mechanism 140 has a roller 146 engagingtrack 148 on the cam 128. Shaft 94, as described previously is driven bymotor means M. A spring 150 (FIG. 2) is provided between link 130 andarm 132 to permit a degree of relative, but substantially conjointmovement of the parts.

Returning to FIG. 2, the set-up position S is provided with a pair offiat, highly resilient springs 152 sticking up through a substantiallyhorizontal platform 154 so that the flat collapsed carton C will enterpocket P with its front end extending upwardly. The set-up position S isalso provided with a fiat guide strip 156 mounted on the frarneagainstwhich the front end of the carton will abut and which will force therear end of the carton into the pocket K. A carton depressor mechanism Dis provided to force the insertion of the carton C, after it has reachedthe set-up position S, into the pocket K and to simultaneously cause theopening of the carton into its squared rectangular shape. The cartondepressor mechanism comprises a curved finger or guide plate 158 mountedto bracket 160 which is fastened to the ends of a pair of arms 162pivotally secured to frame 14'. A pedal lever 164 (FIGS. 4 and 12). issecured to the inner one of the pair of arms 162 and is formed at itslower end with a track 166 which engages roller 168 carried on arm 170.Arm 170 is fixed on the rotatable shaft 134 so that it will reciprocatein the same manner as the plunger arm 132.

The curved guide 158 shown in FIG. 2 is formed to depress the front endof the carton'C', since, it will be recalled, the carton enters thepocket K with its front end up (seen in dotted lines). The combinedaction of both the plunger member 122, the guide finger 158, and thesquare sides of pocket K, set up the carton in squared rectangular form.

A modified form of the carton depressor is shown in This modification isdesigned Ito permit the collapsed carton to enter the set-up position Swith its front end down since, in some instances, this may be preferred.In FIG. 3, the curved guide finger 158a is formed to extend rearwardl'yof the pocket K. The spring guide 152 (FIG. 2) has been removed, and, asan alternate, a resiliently curved guide 172 is mounted directly onfinger 158a so as to extend rearwardly into the delivery area beneaththe carton hopper H so that when the carton is brought down by suctioncups 18, it will engage the face of the guide 172 and be forced, frontend down, into pocket K. As the carton enters pocket K and the depressorD moves downwardly, the rear end of the carton is caught on a hookformation 174 of the spring clip 172 and as the depressor D is furtherlowered, the carton is completely forced into the pocket K and set up insquare form. It will be noted that, except for the formation of guide158a and the addition of spring 172, the mechanism of this modificationhas been unchanged from that shown in FIG. 2.

Sensor means are provided to sense the complete erection of a carton atthe set-up position S and to control the feed of cigars. The sensingmeans (FIGS. 2 and 12) comprise a wire feeler 176 located at the upperfront inner edge of the set-up position S, controlling a contact 178 ofa micro-switch 180 and a push button contact 182, located at the lowerfront outer edge of the set-up position S, controlling a micro-switch184. The feeler 176 sense the squaring of the front panel of the cartonwhile button 182 senses the setting of the carton in pocket K.Micro-switch 180 is normally made while switch 184 is normally open.When the carton seats within the pocket, the reversal of the switchpositions occurs, thereby controlling the feed of cigars, in a manner tobe described later, so that the cigars are fed to a receiving ton wall.

position R on conveyor B only when a fully opened and ready carton will"be available.

The conveyor E comprises an endless chain 190 on which are mounted aplurality of carton receiving pockets K. Each pocket is formed with aplatform 154, a front wall 192, and a rear wall 194. The front and rearwalls and .the platform of the pocket K have open portions to permit thesensing of carton positions as described. A carton retaining cover 196is mounted on frame 14 above the conveyor belt to prevent the cartonsfrom popping out of the pocket-s P. Both the front and rear walls 192and 194 are adjustable secured to the platform 154 in order that theymay be moved readily to accommodate cartons of varying sizes.

The carton conveyor chain 190 is indexed intermittently fromposition-to-position by a Geneva wheel 198 (FIG. 8) secured to shaft288, on which is mounted a sprocket wheel 202 (FIG. 7) carrying thechain 190. The other end of chain 198 is carried by an idler sprocket204 (FIG. 2) journalled on shaft 206 which is secured in a bearing block208 mounted on frame 14. The Geneva wheel 198 (FIGS. 8 and 9) is drivenby coacting crank arm 210 journalled on shaft 94 and driven through theconnections, previously described, by motor M.

From the set-up position S, the conveyor is indexed to move the pocketsK step-by-step to a cigar receiving position R, a folding and sealingposition F and finally to an ejecting station where the fully loadedcartons are delivered. Along the. length of the conveyor E are verticalguide rails which are shaped to accommodate and fold the top and bottomflaps of the carton while they are moving on the conveyor E. It will beseen from FIGS. 5 and 6 and FIGS. 13-21, that the carton employed isprovided with a hinged flap 01 having a tongue c2 at its upper end and apair of bottom flaps c3 and 04 through which the cigars are to beinserted. For the purpose of maintaining the bottom flaps, c3 and 04,open for the insertion of the cigars, the vertical guide rail, betweenthe set-up position S and the receiving position R, is an adjustabletapered plow 220 (FIGS. 13 and 14) so that its leading end portion 222enters between the flaps c3 and c4 and spreads them apart as shown inFIG. 5. As the carton progresses to the receiving position R, the flapsc3 and 04 are transferred to the outer edges of a tapered funnel device224 which is used to compress and guide the cigars to be loaded into thecarton. Thus, the flaps c3 and 04 are not only opened, but are made toassist in the filling of the carton C.

During the movement of the carton C from the set-up position S to thecigar receiving position R, the process of folding and tucking the topflap and tongue is started. As a carton is moved from the set-upposition S in the pocket K of the conveyor E, the tongue and flap c1 and02 are projecting horizontally. This tongue and flap c1 and c2 areordinarily scored in the position along which it is to be bent duringthe manufacture of the cartons .which facilitates the folding and tongueinserting opera- ,tions.

The tongue and flap enter under a tapered projecting finger 226 (FIGS.1, 5, 13 and 15) and a vertically depending plate 228 which breaks thehinge of the flap c1 over the edge of an upwardly extending verticalplate 230 (FIG. 5). The two plates 228 and 230 being curved so that asthe carton progresses to the receiving station R, they are spaced apartbarely the width of the car- Simultaneously, the end of the tongue 02engages a compound curved guide plate 232, causing its hinge to breakover the edge of the depending plate 228. The plate 232 extends thelength of the conveyor E and isv curved so that it alone tucks thetongue 01 into the carton as well be described later. However, at thereceiving position R, the plate 232 is such that the tongue 02 graduallyis bent upwardly, thus starting the tucking of said tongue into thecarton. It will be noted that this depending plate 228 serves the addedpurpose of providing a stop at the end .of the carton for the cigarswhich are to be inserted. The situation the carton attains when itreaches the cigar receiving position R is shown clearly in FIG. 5.

Both the plates 228 and 230 as well as all the guide and folding rails,which will be described later, are adjustably secured on suitablebrackets and mountings as shown in detail in FIGS. 13-21, so that theymay be moved to accommodate different size cartons.

It will be recalled that the present machine is for use in conjunctionwith associated mechanism for banding and wrapping cigars. Thus, thepresent machine has been designed so that fully wrapped and bandedcigars which is adjustably positioned to accept cirgars directly fromthe delivery end of the associated mechanism (at the left end of FIG. 1not shown). The cigars T are carried to allow vertical adjustment of theshaft 252. By adtransversely along a belt conveyor device to anaccumulating position A from whence a predetermined number of cigars,corresponding to the number to be inserted in each carton, istransferred to a loading station L.

The infeed table I (FIGS. 1, 4, 4a and 12) comprises a split platform240 mounted on the frame 14 along the side of which are adjustablymounted vertical guide rails 242. The conveyor itself comprises a pairof lower friction chain belts 244 running substantially in the plane ofthe platform 240, and a pair of upper friction chain belts 246,adjustably mounted so as to run barely a cigar width above the lowerbelts 244. The belts 244 and 246 are respectively driven by two pairs ofsprockets, 248 and 258, journalled on shaft 252 and 2'54, respectively,at the forward end of the infeed table I and run over two pair of idlersprockets 256 and 258 journalled on shafts 260 and 262 respectively, atthe rearward end of table I. Shaft 262 at the rearward end of lower belt244 is mounted so as to be adjustable in a vertical direction, insuitable bearing brackets 264 while the shaft 254 at the forward end ofthe upper belt 246 is mounted in adjustable bearing blocks 266 locatedon U-shaped bracket 268 fixed to the frame. Extending forwardly of eachof bearing blocks 266 is an arm 2'70 pivoted at its ends to a stationarybracket 272. Screw 274, threaded through arm 270, seats on bracket 272and is provided to allow vertical adjustment of the shaft 252. Byadjusting the heightof shafts 254 and 260, the distance between thelower belts 244 and the upper belts 246 may be varied to accommodate anysize cigar and to exert a moderate force or pressure on the column ofcigars which are ready to file into the loading position. Adjustablymounted sprockets 276 and 278 are also provided to vary the tension uponfriction belts 244 and 246.

Shafts 252 and 254 are driven (FIGS. 1 and 4w) by motor M throughuniversal connecting rods 280 and 282, sprockets 284, 286, chain 288running over idler sprocket 290 and sprockets 294 and 2% journalled on'shaft 294, chain 2598 running over sprocket 389, journalled on shaft302. Shaft 302 (FIG. 6) is further driven by sprocket 384, chain 306 andsprocket 308, journalled on main drive shaft 88 driven by motor M. Itwill be observed that sprocket 308 is journalled on the shaft 88directly, by passing the clutch 79. Thus, shaft 302 and consequently thefriction belt drive will be constantly in operation.

Through the interconnection of gear means 280 and 282, the lower andupper belts 244 and 246 are driven at the same speeds so that there willbe no unwanted turn- .ing the cigars and withholding their delivery tothe loading station L until the loading station has been cleared of thecigars previously delivered thereto. Gate 320 is mounted on plate 324which depends from U-shaped bracket 268 to a position over the cigars.Gate 320 is pivoted about hinge member 326. Extending transversely froma boss 328 on the top of the gate 320 toward the carton conveyor is arod 330 having its end resting upon a lever 332 which extends to therear of the machine and is pivoted to the frame 14 at point 334 (FIGS. 4and 13).

Extending transversely from lever 332 (FIG. 4b) is an angle arm 336having a roller or tapered shape 338 at its ends which depends into thepath of carton C on the conveyor between the set-up position S and thecigar receiving position R. Normally, the lever 332 is depressed,however, when a fully set-up carton C passes beneath the same, it islifted, as shown in outline in FIG. 4b,, and carries with it the gatemember 320, thus permitting a sufiicient number of cigars to enter theloading position L. Also, as lever 332 is lifted, it makes microswitch333 controlling cigar insertion mechanism explained hereafter. Thus,only when a carton is delivered and set upon the carton conveyor cancigars be released from the cigar conveyor for delivery to the loadingposition L. It will be observed that the introduction of the carton topocket K and the release of cigars to the loading position L are indexedto occur at the same time so that both the carton and cigars willthereafter reach the receiving position R simultaneously.

During the passage of the cigars along the infeed table, the presence ofthe cigars are sensed to determine that an adequate number are availablefor the continued operation of the machine. This is accomplished bysensing means N mounted on frame 14 about the cigars (FIGS. 1 and 4a).The sensing means N comprise a plurality of gravity biased fingers 340pivotally depending below a light metal plate 342 pivoted Within ahousing 344. The weight of each of the fingers 340 is such that it alonecan pull at the plate 342 and move it upwardly into engagement with atrigger 346 on a micro-switch 348. Micro-switch 348 prevents the feedingof cartons from the hopper by acting on solenoid 350 operated latchmember 352 to close previously noted suction valve 100 until therequisite number of cigars are contained in the conveyor belt. Solenoid350 is activated when an insufilcient number of cigars is sensed bymeans N (i.e., micro-switch 348 is made) withdrawing plunger 354permitting spring 356 to force latch 352 over connection 105 preventingroller 104 from following cam 102. Solenoid 350 is deactivated when afull complement of cigars is in the feed (i.e., micro-switch 48 open)permitting plunger 354 to be forced outwardly by spring 358 removinglatch 352 from path of connection 105 over the biasing of spring 356,thus controlling the operation of the machine. It will be noted that allof the fingers must be raised by the cigars and that any void betweencigars or an insufiiciency of the requisite number will prevent the feedof cartons. In the present embodiment 9 fingers are employed, these 9being effective to sense at least 10 fingers. It will also be noted thatthe position of the sensing means N is sufficiently to the rear of thegate 320 to insure that the machine will have sufficient cigars to fillcartons which had already been dropped from the hooper H, which is atleast two index positions ahead of the cigar loading position.

Upon release of gate 320, a charge of cigars T are pushed into theloading position L (FIGS. 1, 4, and 11) which is adjustably formed toaccept only the exact "number of cigars needed to fill the carton C atthe receiving position. The loading position is a two-level operationalunit comprising a charge supporting plate 360 which reciprocates atright angles to the path of movement of the cigars into the loadingposition and a lower level table 362. After the proper charge has beentransferred to the plate 360, it withdraws to release the chargedownwardly onto the transverse table chamber 362 which is 8 in exactalignment with the funnel 224 leading to carton C at the receivingposition R. A vertically reciprocating depressor 364 (FIG. 11) risingabove the level of the cigars on reciprocating table 360, is used topress the cigars slowly into the proper position within chute 362. Thecigars are then pushed by a transversely reciprocating plunger 366 fromthe loading position into the carton C.

The transversely reciprocating plate 360, mounted on guide rod 370, andthe plunger 366 mounted on rolling bracket 372 beneath plate 360, arejoined by a spring 371 for conjoint forward movement. Bracket 372 isreciprocated on bar 374 by connection with cam 376 on the driven camshaft 40 (previously described). The bracket 372, with its forwardmovement, fully advances the plunger 366 into the mouth of carton C atreceiving position R. The plunger 366 carries with it, because of spring371, the plate 360 to a stop 3'78 on rod 370, just below the chargeloading position L. With its rearward movement, the plunger 366 retractsfrom the funnel 224 and as it does, its rear edge 373 engages dependingboss 375 which pushes with it the plate 360. This conjoint movement ofboth plate 360 and plunger 366 permits the pushing of one chrage ofcigars into a carton while substantially simultaneously loading asucceeding charge on to the loading position L.

Bracket 372 is driven by cam 376 through connection with telescopingsleeve 380 and rod 382 biased together by spring 384, arms 386 and and388, link 390 and bell crank 392 pivoted at 394, having a roller camfollower 396. Arms 386 and 383 are suitably journalled on rotatableshaft 398 and a spring 400 biases follower 396.

The telescoping sleeve 380 and rod 382 arrangement is employed toprovide a safety switch means capable of shutting the machine bydisengagement of clutch 79 should the cigars for any reason be hinderedin their entry rate at the receiving carton C. Mounted on sleeve 380 isa trigger 402 engaging the contact 404 of a microswitch 406. In normaloperation, as the spring 384 biases the sleeve 380 and rod 382 together,the trigger 402 engages contacts 404 making micro-switch 406, however,should the outer sleeve be arrested in its travel by the faulty movementof the cigar charge or the plunger 366 or for any other reason, theinner rod will move outwardly of sleeve 380 opening the switch 406. Uponopening of the switch 406 current is removed from the magnetic clutch79. Micro-switch 406 will not make again until the hinderence is removedor the plunger 366 is reset.

The depressor 364 (FIG. 11) comprises a pivoting cigar engaging plate410 hinged 416 to a spaced substan tial parallel plate 412 mounted atthe lower end of a vertical rod 414. The hinge connection 416 has oneleaf 418 fastened substantially in the middle of plate 410 and one leaf420 fastened to the plate 412 so that in response to its downwardmovement the cigar engaging plate 410 can incline and assume the angleof the cigars T as they swing downwardly ofl the supporting plate 360.By this means, the cigars T in the charge at the loading position cannotturn or rotate out of proper position. The cigar engaging plate 410 isalso formed with a pair of curved cigar stop plates 422 at its rearwardedge which engage (FIGS. 1 and 2) the front face of the forward cigar atthe end of the infeed table I even before the gate 320 may have a chanceto close of its own weight.

The depressor 364 is reciprocated by cam 424 journalled on driven shaft46 (previously described) by connection with arm 426 parallel movementmechanism and cam roller 430. Ann 426 is removably secured in sleeve 432to parallel mechanism 428 in order that it and the entire depressormechanism 364 may be removed to give access to the loading position L.The parallel moving mechanism is of conventional construction comprisinga pair of upper and a pair of lower substantially horizontal arms 434and 436, respectively, which are pivotally mounted to frame members anda pair of vertical tie bars Cam follower 430 is pressed onto cam 424 byaction of spring 440 on lower horizontal bars 436.

Sensing means 442 comprising a spring biased arm 444 extending into theforward end of the loading position is provided to determine thepresence therein of a full charge of cigars. Sensing arm 444 isconnected by arm 446 to micro-switch 448 which is made when a fullcharge causes the arm 444 to rotate. Arm 444 is biased by spring 450 toprevent its rotation unless a full charge of cigars is pushed into theloading position. Unless microswitch 448 is made at the proper time, thecarton conveyor B will stop and the charge pusher 366 and depressor 364will not operate. This is, of course, to prevent the loading of lessthan a full charge of cigars.

At the present time, it can be observed that the elements forming thesupporting plate 360, depressor 364, plunger 366, and the charging chute362, are formed so as to be adjustable in width, depth and length, sothat various sizes and shapes of cigars may be accommodated and that thenumber of cigars in each charge may be varied if desired. The variousmeans of adjustment are all generally conventional and their descriptionseems unnecessary here.

After the carton C is loaded with a charge of cigars, the conveyor E isindexed forward to carry the carton through the folding and sealingpositions F and the ejecting position I. In its travel from thereceiving position R, the carton C passes by a series of flap foldingmeans shown in detail in FIGS. 13-22, as well as in FIGS. 1 and 6, inconnection with which mention was previously made.

As will be seen in FIGS. 13, 15, 17, 20 and 22, the previously mentionedguide piece 232 changes shape so as to direct the top flap c1 and tongue(:2 into the carton. From the gently curved section shown previously inFIG. and now seen in FIG. 15, the guide 232 fans inwardly toward theconveyor and upwardly over the edge of the tongue c1 (FIG. 16) until itreaches the form shown in FIG. 20, i.e., having a roof portion 460. Bythis time, the cooperative vertical depending guide 228 (FIG. 15) hastapered to an end, being replaced by a right angle lifter guide 462engaging the lower surface of the flap 01. From this point on, both theguide 232 and lifter 462 converge inwardly toward conveyor E (FIG. 21)scoring the leading edge of the tongue c1 into the carton as shownclearly in FIG. 17. When the carton reaches the end of the conveyortravel, the guides 232 and 462 assume a substantially true verticalposition, thus completely tucking the tongue c2 into the carton. Theentire operation is accomplished only by the action imparted by guide232 on the flap c1 and tongue 02, respectively, by the cooperativepositioning of guide rails 228, 230, 232, and 462. No moving mechanismsare required nor is the carton stopped to perform this operation. Itwill also be observed that the guide rails 232 et al. are mounted to theframe of the machine by adjustable brackets 464 in a suitable, althoughconventional manner, so that they may be moved to accommodate cartons oflarger or smaller sizes.

Reference is made to the details of FIGS. 13, 17, and 19 for the foldingof the bottom flaps c3 and c4. After leaving the funnel 224, the bottomflaps c3 and c4 are folded by the action of a second plow 466 comprisingan upper curved member 468, a flat separator plate 470 and a lowercurved member 472. Unlike previously mentioned plow 220, the plow 466engages the flaps c3 and c4 within its inner faces, causing the lowerbottom flap 04 to fold flat against the cigar bottoms within the cartonand the upper bottom flap 03 to fold to a horizontal position onseparator plate 472. As the carton C is moved forward on the conveyor,the upper bottom flap 03 is carried from separator plate 472 to a gluewheel 474 where glue is applied to its under surface. From the gluewheel 474, the flap c3 is carried beneath still another curved guideplate 476 which then folds the flap c3 downwardly (FIG. 19). Guide plate476 ends in a vertical section 478 which causes the glued surface offlap c3 to adhere to the surface of the now underlying flap 04. Again,it should be noticed that the folding and sealing of the bottom flapsare a continuous process requiring no moving mechanism (except the gluewheel) and no stopping of the machine. All of guides 468, 470, 472, 476and 478 are adjustably mounted for the reasons previously mentioned.

The glue wheel 474 is mounted (FIG. 6) on shaft 480 located in bearingblock 482 and rotates within a glue pot 484 mounted to the frame. Theglue wheel is rotated by connection to shaft 302 (previously described)through gears 486 and 488, sprocket 490, chain 492 and sprockets 494 and496, chain 498 and sprocket 500 journalled on shaft 302. Sprocket 488and gear 490 are journalled on shaft 502 and gear 486 is journalled onwheel shaft 480. Sprockets 494 and 496 are freely rotated about shaft90, being journalled on a sleeve 504 suitably mounted for this purposeon shaft 90. Since the gluepot is driven from shaft 302 via sleeve 504,rather than shaft 90, it is continuously driven even though the magneticclutch 79 is de-energized. A tension wheel 510 is provided (FIG. 7) totension chain 492. A scraper blade 508 is adjustably mounted on thegluepot 484 so that a uniform film of glue can be transferred to theflap 03 while at the same time keeping the glue wheel 474 clean.

The now fully sealed carton C is carried by conveyor E over the sprocket202 and downwardly into a vertical position at the ejection position J.(FIGS. 7, 9, 10.) At this point the bottom flap c4 of the carton comesinto contact with a resistance heater 520 so as to heat-set the glue.From this vertical position, the carton is pushed by a pair of ejectingarms 522 to a delivery table 524 where they are moved for some distancein order to set the glue and accumulated for further handling,cellophane wrapping or boxing.

The ejector arms are mounted on a movable bracket 550 located onslideway 552 and are operated in a timed reciprocating movement by cam526 journalled on main cam shaft 40 (FIGS. 710) through interconnectingshaft 528, bracket 530, arms 531 and 532, rod 534, right angled bevelgears 536, rod 538, arms 540, and 542, and a bell crank 544 pivoted at546 and having cam follower 548. The transverse of bell crank 544causesan oscillating movement in arms 540 and 542 which is transmittedas a rocking movement to the bevel gears 536. The rock ing of bevelgears 536 is then transmitted as a reciprocatory movement to arms 522.Arms 522 are mounted on a sliding bracket 550 located on a slideway 552.

The delivery table is lined on either side of its entire length by apair of adjustably movable walls 560 and 562. Along the initial part ofone wall 562 there is provided an adjustable pressure mechanism 564,comprising an endless impregnated canvas belt 566 stretched over aplurality of spring loaded rolls 568. As part of the Wall structure ofthe delivery table, the flexible belt exerts a substantial pressure onthe ends of the cartons as they are moved along the table. Because ofthis, the glued flaps are firmly set and smearing of the glue isminimized since the cartons do not rub against the wall until the glueis dry.

By reference to FIG. 24 which is a pictorial diagram of the operatingcontrol of the machine, there will be readily observed the interlockingarrangements insuring the delivery of cigars and cartons in their propertimed relationship. The diagram depicts the operation of the machineunder relative optimum conditions, i.e., a full load of cartons andcigars properly forwarded and opened.

By following the diagram, it will be observed that line current isderived from terminals 500 and 502 to provide power to actuate thecontrols and the machine. Toggle switches 504, push button 506 andholding relay 508

